It's July. It's Carlisle. It's Chrysler.

What you’ll discover at Carlisle is that Mopar is a culture and a lifestyle all its own.

Words: Joe Depoto

For some people, a hobby is nothing more than an activity that helps pass time in a productive and enjoyable manner such as tending a garden, or shooting a round of golf with close friends. For Mopar enthusiasts, a pilgrimage to Carlisle, Penn., every July is not just a weekend of admiring Chrysler products from the past and present, or glimpsing at future vehicles. It’s an event that truly reveals how Mopar® is much more than a parts brand. What you’ll discover at Carlisle is that Mopar is a culture and a lifestyle all its own.

This year marks the 18th year that the beautiful rural countryside of Carlisle, Penn., has hosted the All-Chrysler Nationals. Aside from a seemingly endless swap meet that not only consists of Mopar memorabilia and restoration parts, there is even a “car corral” where enthusiasts have the opportunity to drive home a new classic or purchase a project car so another Mopar muscle car can find a home for future generations. If squealing tires, clouds of smoke pouring wheel wells, and the aggressive rumble of a Mopar Performance exhaust system captures your attention, then you’ll be intrigued to see the dyno-testing demonstrations where enthusiasts are able to discover the actual horsepower of their vehicles.

However, the true reason why Mopar fans from all over the nation and the world come to Carlisle every year is for the cars themselves. In addition to the impressive array of Chrysler products that represent each era of Mopar culture on the show field, there are even more specialty cars on display that can only be seen at an event as special as the Carlisle All-Chrysler Nationals. One of those exhibits is the 1968 Retro Dealership that allowed spectators the opportunity to walk through a time-warp and experience what a Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge dealership looked like during the muscle car era.

A second interesting exhibit Mopar enthusiasts were treated to at this year’s event was the Panther Pink & Moulin Rouge Display. Developed by Nick Taylor from San Diego, Calif., this special display showcased the unforgettable and outrageous color that was originally offered as a mid-year option on specific 1970 Dodges and Plymouths as part of the High Impact Paint schemes Chrysler first introduced in 1969 (www.PantherPink.com for more information).

Another excellent exhibition that represents Mopar culture and lifestyle could be found at The Invitational Display, a building on the grounds that housed more than 40 Chrysler products considered rare, unique and interesting examples of the breed. For Chris Picco of Toronto, Canada, it was his childhood dream to one day own a 1970 Plymouth AAR ‘Cuda. After recently completing a precise four-and-a-half year restoration, Chris’ dream finally became a reality in the Invitational Display at this year’s Carlisle All-Chrysler Nationals claiming: “Goals and visions, you have to chase that dream.”

No All-Chrysler Nationals show at Carlisle would be complete without the Burnout Contest. Smoke ’em until they pop is pretty much the goal here,and the crowd loves it. Whether you’re in the stands watching, or in the pits participating, this is a perennial crowd favorite.

Whether you are a Mopar fanatic who knows all the engineering schematics of the legendary 426 Street HEMI,® or who gets cranked at the sound of a SRT4®’s turbo spooling up, there is something for everyone who considers themselves a part of the Mopar family at Carlisle. According to Murray Tofflemire, “Mopar is together as one, there is no division because they all stick together.” Unlike other car collectors that will emphasize the elements that set apart a Pontiac from a Chevrolet, Mopar enthusiasts often acknowledge the characteristics that unite all Chrysler vehicles against the competition. Perhaps that is why Don Comoletti from Ocean Park, Maine has always considered himself “a Mopar guy.” Aside from being a proud owner of a rare 1977 Plymouth Volare Road Runner, other factors have lured him to Chrysler products throughout the years, including “engineering, innovativeness, and performance.” Ironically, those Mopar philosophies remain as relevant today as they did more than 40 years ago when Chrysler ingenuity paved the way for such technological breakthroughs as torsion-bar suspension, pioneering electronic ignition, as well as hemispherical engine heads.

Once again, the 18th Annual Carlisle All-Chrysler Nationals continues to lift the standards to which any car show should aspire. Not only does this event represent the past, present, and future of Chrysler collector cars, such a gathering of Mopar enthusiasts also showcases the distinct culture and lifestyle that makes Mopar something much more than just a parts brand. According to David Hakim who is the Mopar Global Licensing Manager: “The Carlisle All-Chrysler Nationals is one of our favorite events. It’s amazing to see cars make a debut at this show after a five year restoration.”

Be sure to mark your calendars for next year’s All-Chrysler Nationals in Carlisle, Penn., July 10–12, 2009, or go to www.carsatcarlisle.com for more information.